Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has gotten a lot of criticism over the years with many people who feel he hasn’t lived up to expectations after being drafted No. 2 overall in 2012.  But now in his third NBA season, MKG has earned respect for his tenacious defense, typically locking up the best perimeter player on opposing teams. As his confidence on that end of the floor has grown, Kidd-Gilchrist now has his sights set on becoming not just the best defender in the NBA today, but the best defender in the NBA, ever.

From Charlotte Observer (via SLAM):

Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford made a bold statement recently, saying small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has the talent to be the best perimeter defender among this generation of NBA players.

Not bold enough apparently. On Thursday Kidd-Gilchrist trumped Clifford’s expectation.

“I want to say ever; not just in the league (now). The best defender this league has seen,” Kidd-Gilchrist told the Observer.

“It’s baby steps. But when it’s all said and done, I want people to say, ‘That guy right there was the dog!’ That’s all I want.”

That’s quite an aspiration to have and he has some heavyweights to pass but you can’t knock him for aiming high.